Connecticut western news., 1887-12-21

notable event in the Catholic church and this year will be no exception to the rule, as on Sunday the services will be very interesting and impressive.
 At the Congregational church in East Canaan the Christmas exercises will be held Monday evening, and instead of a | tree an immense Christmas Stocking will be filled with presents for old and young.
 If you are making collection of calendars, send ten cents in stamps or cash to Messrs Doliber, Goodale & Co.,, of Boston; Mass, for their elegant one | for the New Year. It was designed and engraved by John A. Lowell X Co.,, and Is an exquisite work of art
 The Litchfeld County Sunday School Superintendents Union will hold a meeting in this village, Thursday, Dec. 29. Secretary Hall, T. l.. Norton and other well-known speakers will take part in the discussions. The program Is one of interest to all Sun- day school workers and efforts are being made to secure large attendance.
 Excursion tickets at fare one way for the round trip will be sold from all Stations to Bridgeport, good on any date from December 20th, 1887, until January 2nd, inclusive, 1888, and good o,,lv ~, &bo fo1
 The 5:45 8. m. train from Pittsfield going. returning good on any train from Bridgeport excepting the 1O:O5 a. p. and 4:32 p. m. trains.
 On December IT. 1886 Salmon Bar low was arrested on the charge of writ ing threatening letters to owners of cider mills. Last Saturday evening Mir Barlow celebrated the anniversary by firing cannon, blowing steam whist les and by makinga speech to the crowd attracted to his premises by the racket. Rev W. A. Mackey, of Pine Plains, N Y, sends us s2,OO to renew his subscription to the NEWS, and also writes "We did not intend to continue all our periodicals, but find we are not quite ready to drop the NEWS" Thanks Friend Mackey. Don't drop the NEWS. but do drop into Canaan and seeiyour many friends here
 On Tuesday evening, the 18th inst, the good people of Hillsdale, N. r., gave their pastor, Rev David Phillips, and his family genuine surprise. Young and old packed the parsonage, in fact stormed the castle and took possession, and carried in lots of good things to eat. All had an eminently social time, with music, wit and humor. The invaders departed during the small hours of the morning, but they left well-flled purse as a token of their esteem for their pastor.
 The annual meeting and election of officers of Housatonic Lodge, No. 61, F. & A, M. occurs on Saturday evening, December 24, A good supper will be provided, and members of neighboring lodges are cordially invited, Members of Housatonic lodge are reminded to bring herring, biscuit, doughnut, hardtack or even cake, to insure an ample supply for all, but whether they bring any provision or not every mem Der is expected to "git thar with both feet, hungry stumick and loose fitting clothes.
 -E. s. Sullivan's musical and drama tic organ ization is meritorious com pany of artists and last Wednesday and Thursday evenings, at the town hall in this village, they admirably presented the dramas of ''Black Diamonds" and "Asa Whitcomb" notwithstanding they labored under the disadvantage of 8 small stage and the Encouragement of small audiences. The excursion to Hart ford on Wednesday and the inclement weather Thursday evening prevented 8 larger attendance at these dramas which contain nothing to offend the most fastidious.
 Frank Howard sentenced from Litchfeld county in October, 1883, for ten years in state prison, has been granted pardon by the board of par dons, to take effect next April. He was one of gang of criminals and through his testimony several others were convicted. All the other petitions were rejected. Hartford Post, Dec IT. Frank Howard and Dick Hadley were arrested by Deputy Sheriff VanDeusen and posse near Ashley Falls, Aug 18th, 1883. Dick Hadley died in state prison last July.
 The repairs on the Methodist Epis- copal church in this village are con- pleted and the edifice will be re-opened and re-dedicated next Sunday morning. A cordial invitation to be present on that occasion Is extended to all. We are authorized to state that the repairs are all paid for and that no begging will be permitted next Sunday, not even the {! penny collection taken, so don't be afraid to attend; you will see nice church but you won't see contribution box on that occasion.
 It is currently reported that the re- pair shops of the H. & c. W. railroad will be removed from Hartford to this village next spring, and that Superin- tendent McNeil will make his head